Box



Aug. 6, 1957- G, A, MANIZZ'A 2,801,785

r BOX Filed July so. 1953 A r I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Guelfo H. Ndnizzo.

Aug. 6, 1957 G. A. MANIZZA BOX s sheets-sheet a IINVENTOR. GuelFo fl rlanizza,

BY /zwflx HI nu Filed July 50, 1953 United States Patent Guelfo A. Manizza, Groton, Count, assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application July30, 1953, SerialNo. 371,205 r 6 Claims. (Cl. 220 -33) This invention relates generally to a' box and more particularly to a container adapted'to hold a plurality of flat articles for removal one at a time, the said container having a novel corner construction.

In the retail vending of such articles ascircular graph charts, sandpaper, carbon paper, filters, handkerchiefs, and the like, it is often desirable to sell. a large number of these articles packed in a container which provides for the removal of the articles one at a time; Thishas been accomplished inthe past by theuse of a container having a. tray-like portion for holding the articles and a cover fitted tightly thereover. Now, in thepa'st, when the tray and cover were hingedly connected along one edge and formed: from a single sheet. of. paperboard, it was very diflicult to obtain a practical construction; Inparticular, difficulty has been experienced: with the container. construction in whichthe cover is ptovidedFwith a depending flange whichis intended tolie in juxtaposition to the sides. of the tray;. there is atendency for the flange to protrude, away from the side of: the tray in the area near thehinged connection between the cover andJtray; This results in the flange catching on corners and the like during use, resulting in the tearing of the box. It. alsormakesit diflicult to stock a plurality of these boxes evenlyand compactly. The deficienciesin the' prior art, are obviated by the present inventionin a novel manner.

It is therefore an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a container particularly adapted to retaining and dispensing a plurality of flat articles.

Another objectof the invention islthe provision of a container of the tray andflanged-cover type in which no difiiculty is experienced with separationof the cover flange fromthe side of thetray when the container is closed.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a container having a novel means for lockingthe cor.- ners orjoints.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a paperboard container. of the tray and flanged-cover. type, wherein a novel means is provided for locking the cover flange in juxtaposition to theside of the tray.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thisvinvention will be particularly pointed out in the claims. appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, the mode of its operation and manner of its organization may be better understood 'by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container of the invention in closed condition, but partially open for access to the contents,

Figure 2 is a planview of a blank from which the container is formed,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the container, showing a corner joint used in the container, and

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of a portion of the container showing various stages of assembly of another joint used in thecontainer.

2,801,785 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 ice Like reference numerals denote similar parts in the several figures of the'drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, wherein is best demonstrated the general aspect of the assembled invention, the container; indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, is shown as comprising a tray 11 and a cover 12. The tray 11 is made up of a bottom13, a front 14, a back 15, andtwo sides l d-and 17. The cover 12 is composed ofa fixed portion l and a movable portion 19, the former comprising a top 20 and two 'side flanges 21 and 22, while the lattercomprises a top 23, a front flange 24 and two side flanges 25 and 26. Two strips 27 and 28 of pressure-sensitive tape are shown in place retaining the fixed portion 18-of the cover in place on the tray 11.

Referring next toFigure 2, wherein is shown the blank of paperboard from which the container is formed, the front flange 24 of the movable portion of the cover is joined to the top 23 along the fold line 29". The top 23, of the movable portion and the top 20 of the fixed portion of thecover are hingedly joined along the score line 30. The top. 20.is joinedtothe back 15 along thefold line 31, while thefold. line 32; serves to define the back 15 from thejbottom 13. Onthe edge opposite the fold line 32thebottom isattaehed to the front 14 of the tray along the fold line 33; frornthe two edges of the bottom 13 joining the fold lines 32, and 33 extend the sides 16 and 17 of the tray defined fromthe bottom by the fold lines 34 and 35-, respectively.. It can be seen, then, that the front flange; 24, the top 23 the top 20, the back 15, the bottom 13, and the front 14,.are all joined successively in the order named andthey are allrectangular, withthe specific relative sizes depending upon the use for which the container is intended. For: the purposes of the description the. direction parallel tothe score lines 2?, 31, 32, and 33 will be called transverse? while the direction perpendicular thereto will be called longitudinal. In general, the longitudinal dimensions of the front flange 24, the back 15, and the front 14..will be relatively small, commensurate with. a thin container. The transverse edge of the front flange 24 opposite the fold line 29 isdefined by a fold line 36 and alongthis last fold. line is connecteda reinforcing strip 37-all of whose edges are free, with the exception, of the connection along the line 346. The longitudinal dimension of the strip 37 is slightly lessthanthat of the flange 24, as is its transverse dimension. The corners formedby the free edges are suitably rounded, as is the area of convergence of. the longitudinal edges with the flanges 24 along the line 36.

Joined to the longitudinal edges of the top 23 are side; flanges 25 and 26 having a transverse dimension which is the same as the longitudinal dimension of the front flange 24.. Side flanges 21 and 22 are hingedly joined to the longitudinaledges of the top 20. The side flanges 22 and 26 share a common perforated line 38, and the side flanges 21 and 25 share a similar perforated line 39, the two perforated linesybeing aligned with the score line 30. Hingedly attached to the edge of the side flange 26. oppo-. site the line 38 is a. tab 40 which is coextensive with the flange 24 and the strip 37; the outer free edge of the tab 40 is indented slightly so that it is rather less in its transverse dimension than the side flange26. A. similar tab 41 is connected to the transverse edge of the side flange 25' opposite theline 39.

Hingedly connected to the longitudinal edge of the side, flange 22 adjacent the back 15 along a hinge line 52 is lock panel 42 having a longitudinal dimension equal, to that of the back and a transverse dimension equal to that of the side flanges 22 and 26. Its longitudinal edges are free, except as will be explained; A similar lock panel 43 is connected to the transverse edge of the sideflange 21" adjacent the back 15along a hinge line 53. The edge of flange 21 has hingedly attached thereto a lock tab 44. One side of the tab 44 is parallel to the longitudinal edge of the back 15, while the other side extends transversely and is aligned with the fold line 31. A similar lock tab 45 is connected to the outer longitudinal edge of the lock panel 43.

The transverse dimensions of the sides 16 and 17 of the tray are the same as those of the side flanges 21, 22, 25, and 26 and the lock panels 42 and 43. The transverse edges of the sides 16 and 17 adjacent the lock panels are cut away from the adjacent free edges of the said panels; for that reason, the said edges of the panels are aligned with the fold line 32, while the adjacent transverse edges of the sides 16 and 17 are parallel to, but spaced from the said fold line. The transition between these edges of the sides and the bottom 13 is suitably curved to the junction of the fold line 32 and the longitudinal lines of connections 34 and 35 of the sides with the bottom.

To the transverse edge of the front 14 opposite the fold line 33 is connected a reinforcing strip 46, the two being joined at a fold line 47. The strip 46 i similar to the above-described strip 37 and has a longitudinal dimension slightly less than that of the front 14. To the transverse edges of the sides 16 and 17, which are aligned with the fold line 33, are hinged tabs 48 and 49, respectively. These tabs bear the same dimensional and spatial relation to the front 14 and the strip 46 as do the tabs 40 and 41 to the front flange 24 and the strip 37. In particular, the longitudinal edges are parallel to, but spaced from the adjacent edges of the tabs 48 and 49.

It is to be noted that, during the formation of the blank by the usual stamping process, tab 40 and the front flange 24 are separated along the cut line 50, the tab 41 and the front flange 24 are separated along the cut line 51, the lock panel 42 and the back 15 are separated by a cut line, the lock panel 43 and the back 15 are separated along a cut line, the tab 49 and the front 14 are separated by a cut line 54, and the tab 48 and the front 14 are separated by the out line 55.

In the setting up of the container, the front 14, the sides 16 and 17 and the back 15 are erected to positions perpendicular to the bottom 13, thus forming the tray 11. The corner formed by the sides 16, the front 14 and the bottom 13 is shown in perspective in Figure 3 and, of course, the corner formed by the side 17, the front 14 and the bottom 13 is similar in construction. It should be noted that the tab 48 is bent at a right angle to the side 16 and lies against the front 14. The tab 49 is similarly treated. Then, the reinforcing strip 46 is bent about the fold line 47 to the position shown in the drawing in juxtaposition to the tabs 48 and 49 and the central portion of the front 14 where it is glued or otherwise fastened in position.

The cover 12 is formed by erecting the side flanges 21, 22, 25 and 26 and the front flange 24 into positions perpendicular to the tops 20 and 23; the tops, incidentally, are co-planar during the assembly of the container and are not bent relative to one another about the score line 30. The front flange 24, the tabs 40 and 41, and the reinforcing strip 37 are assembled in the same manner as has been described and shown in connection with the front section of the tray.

In order to lock the corners formed by the tray 11, the cover 12, the back 15, the sides 16 and 17, and the side flanges 21 and 22, the locking panel 42 is bent to a position approximately perpendicular to the side flange 22 and the lock tab 44 is bent to a position approximately perpendicular to its lock panel 42. The top 20, the back 15, and the bottom 13 are bent slightly about the fold lines 31 and 32. The cover is then in the condition shown in Figure 4. The adjacent recessed transverse edge of the sides 17 of the tray is then inserted between the lock tab 44 and the side flange 22, as is shown in Figure Finally, the top 20, the back 15 and the bottom 13 are moved to positions wherein the top and the back are perpendicular to each other, as are the bottom and back; the condition is shown in Figure 6. The lock panel 42 lies against the back 15 and is clamped between the top 20 and the bottom 13. The lock tab 44 lies against the bottom 13 with its transverse side pressed into the corner formed by the bottom 13 and the side 17. The other corner is locked in a similar manner by means of the lock panel 43 and the lock tab 45.

During the assembly of the container in the manner described, it is the usual practice to enclose the product which is to be sold. When packed and erected, the container is in closed condition with the cover over the tray and the side flanges 21, 22, 25 and 26 embracing their respective sides 16 and 17 of the tray. The front flange 24 of the cover overlies the front 14 of the tray. Usually, strips 27 and 28 of pressure-sensitive tape are used, as shown in Figure l, to hold the forward portion of the side flanges 21 and 22 in position against the sides 16 and 17, respectively. When the purchaser wishes to obtain one of the articles from the container, he tears the side flanges 21 and 25 and the side flanges 22 and 26 apart along the perforated lines 39 and 38, respectively. Then, he bends the top 23 upwardly about the score line 30 so that the container assumes the condition shown in Figure 1. It can be seen, then, that despite the opening of the movable portion of the cover, the rest of the container remains in its locked condition without the opening of joints. In particular, the rear corners are securely locked and there are no gaps to catch and tear. The side flanges of the cover are held firmly against the sides of the tray.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A container comprising a tray, a cover for the tray, the tray having a bottom and sides extending perpendicularly therefrom, the cover having a top and side flanges extending perpendicularly therefrom, a back hingedly connected to both the tray and the cover, lock panels and lock tabs for retaining the side flanges of the cover in position overlying the sides of the tray, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges and lying against the said back and extending between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs being hingedly connected to one side of said lock panels and lying along the said bottom, each lock tab having one straight edge lying adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

2. A container comprising a tray, a cover for the tray, the tray having a bottom and sides adapted to extend perpendicularly therefrom, the cover having a top and side flanges adapted to extend perpendicularly therefrom, a back hingedly connected to both the tray and the cover, lock panels and lock tabs for retaining the side flanges of the cover in position overlying the sides of the tray, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges and adapted to lie against the said back and to extend between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs being hingedly connected to one side of said lock panels and being adapted to lie along the said bottom, each lock tab having one straight edge adapted to lie adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

3. A container comprising a tray, a cover for the tray, the tray having a bottom and sides extending perpendicularly therefrom, the cover having a top and side flanges extending perpendicularly therefrom, the cover being divided by a score line into fixed and movable portions, a back hingedly connected to both the tray and the fixed portion of the cover, lock panels and lock tabs for retaining the side flanges of the fixed portion of the cover in position overlying the sides of the tray, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges of the fixed portion of the cover and lying against the said back and extending between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs being hingedly connected to one side of said lock panels and lying along the said bottom, each lock tab having one straight edge lying adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

4. A container comprising a bottom, sides extending perpendicularly from said bottom, a top, side flanges extending perpendicularly from said top, a back hingedly connected to both the top and bottom lock panels and lock tabs for retaining the said side flanges in position overlying the said sides, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges and lying against the said back and extending between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs being hingedly connected to one side of said lock panels and lying along the said bottom, each lock tab having one straight edge lying adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

5. A container comprising a tray, a cover for the tray, the tray having a bottom and sides extending perpendicularly therefrom, the cover having a top and side flanges extending perpendicularly therefrom, a back hingedly connected to both the tray and the cover, lock panels and lock tabs for retaining the side flanges of the cover in position overlying the sides of the tray, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges and lying against the said back and extending between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs being hingedly connected to one side of said lock panels and lying along the said bottom, each lock tab being of right equilateral triangular shape and having one straight edge lying adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

6. A container comprising a tray, a cover for the tray, the tray having a bottom and sides extending perpendicularly therefrom, the cover having a top and side flanges extending perpendicularly therefrom, a back hingedly connected to both the tray and the cover, lock panels and triangular lock tabs for retaining the side flanges of the cover in position overlying the sides of the tray, the said lock panels being hingedly connected to the side flanges and lying against the said back and extending between the said top and the said bottom, the said lock tabs lying along the said bottom, each lock tab being hingedly connected to a lock panel and having one straight edge lying adjacent a corner formed by the said bottom and one of the said sides, the lock panels serving to retain the tabs in position along the bottom and the lock tabs serving to retain the panels in position against the back.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 271,975 Quillfeldt Feb. 6, 1883 466,479 Winchester Jan. 5, 1892 1,390,405 Waldes Sept. 13, 1921 1,420,001 Wagner June 20, 1922 1,769,719 Smith July 1, 1930 2,471,883 Miessler May 31, 1949 2,600,927 Scoville June 17, 1952 

